Folding or collapsible bed.



J. W. KYLE.

FOLDING 0R COLLAPSIBLE BED.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1912.

1 ,2045792. Patnted Nov. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

l. W. KYLE.

.FOLDING 0R COLLAPSIBLE BED.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14.1912.

1,204,792. 4 Patented Now .14, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- J. W. KYLE.

FOLDING OR COLLAPSIBLE BED.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I4, 1912.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

4 SHEETS J. W. KYLE.

FOLDING OR COLLAPSIBLE BED.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1912.

1,204.792. Patented Nov. 14,1916.

4 SHEEI SSHEET 4.

s Cook and State of Illinois, have invented UNIT JOSEPH W. KYLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING R GOLLAPSIBLE BED.

Application filed November 14, 1912. Serial No. 731,319.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. KYLE, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of certain new and useful Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Beds; and I do here by declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numbers of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. V

This inventioii'relates to improvements in folding or collapsible bedsof the class described iii my prior application for patent for Childs folding cribs, filed on the 30th day of September, 1912, Serial No. 723,065, and in which the crib when extended, is elevated to bed height and is provided with side boards or members, either of which may be retracted to permit the side of the crib adjacentthe bed to remain open. In said device also, a Setof wheels or rollers is provided for supporting the crib when extended in upright position, and another setof rollers or casters is provided and journaled transversely the aforesaid rollers or wheels to permit thecrib to be rolled under a bed of normal height, when collapsed.

The object of this invention is to afford a cot bed adapted, when extended, to be of normal bed'height, andjadapted to collapse into very small space of such height as to permit the same to berolled under a bed of normal height to be concealed during the day or when not in use.

for moving the same either when extended or when collapsed and closed ready for storage.

It is an object of thein-vention also to afford an exceedingly eificient, as well as Sl'ni ple locking device, whereby the bed when extended, is positively held at all tunes,

from collapsing and where the weight of the occupant assists in. maintaining the; loci; in locking position.

' It is an object of the invention also to afford device adapted to be extended to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

full bed height, and wherein a head board and foot board are provided, which may be of any desired height, and which, when collapsed, close down upon the bedding and occupy such small space that the cot with its bedding may be rolled beneath a bed of normal height.

It is an object of the invention to -afford a construction adapted to be extended to full bed height, and adapted to be contracte ed or collapsed to much less height and which, when collapsed, is of no greaterlength than when extended.

It is a further object of the invention to afford a construction whereby the end mem bers, which may be termed for convenience. the head board and the foot board of the bed or cot, may be utilized as levers in erecting or in collapsing the bed, and also. in maintaining the same in an upright position.

It is, of course, an important object of the invention to afford an exceedingly strong, simple. and compact device of the class described a-dapted to afiord absolute. safety and rigidity when erected, and occupied.

but adapted to be quickly closed to ex .ceedingly small compass without extending the length thereof- The invention (in a preferred formli illustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter more fully described. s

In the drawings: Figure 1 is av side elevavation of a cot or bed embodying my invention, showing the same fully extended. Fig Qis a similar view, showing the bedfull closed. Fig. 3 is atop plan view thereof.

Fig. l is an end elevation of the same. Fig.

5 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view partly'in section, of the same. Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of a cot bed embodying my invention, showing the bed extended in full lines and illustrating the operation of the folding or closing 111s of the same in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on line 8-8 cf Fig. 6. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section illustrating the construction '1 and operation of the lockingmeans. Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary end elevatioii showing the locking means in detail. Fig. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail section illustrating the leg construction and the engagement of the caster thereon. "Fig. 12 is a detail view of a locking hook,

As shown in the drawings: The bed frame is constructed of angle bar of suitable dimensions and weight, affording a strong, rectangular frame. The side bars or sills are indicated by 1, and the end bars or sills by 15, which are rigidly connected at the corners in any suitable manner. Stretched in said frame is any suitable spring mattress fabric 3, to support the mattress and bedding.

, Pivotally mounted on the outer side of each ofthe side bars 1, near the end thereof, is a bracket 4, the outer end of which is relatively broad and is extended downwardly. Rigidly secured between the broad outer ends of said brackets at each end of the bed frame, are the head board and foot board respectively 5, which, as shown in the drawings, are identical in form in construction and operation. Said endmembers or foot and head boards may be of any desired ornamental construction or design, and may be either similar in design, or different as preferred, and extend, when erected. to any desired height above the bed frame, and at their lower ends extend below'the top of the bed frame a distance approximately equal to the distance from the pivot of the brackets 4, to the outer end thereof. Pivotally engaged atthe extremity of the down wardly directed leg at each side of each of said head members, is a link or bar affording a leg 6, of a length approximately equal to the extension of said leg below the top of the mattress frame, as before described, or to the distance from the pivot for the bracket 4, to the outer end of the bracket. As shown in Fig. 11, the linksor bars affording the legs 6, at. each side of each of the head members, are rigidly connected by means of an integral bar 7, which extends transversely across the bed beneath each head board, afiording a substantially rectangular frame, the links or legs 6,of which are rigidly maintained in parallel relation by the integral connecting bar 7 Secured on said connecting bar 7, near each end thereof, and on the under side of the same by means of suitable washers 8, are casters 9, which are thereby swiveled to the respective bar and which at all times act to support the device. The downwardly directed web of the side frame bar 1, islongitudinally slotted, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, at the points intermediate the ends of the bed frame, said slots being of a length approximately equal to the length of the links or legs 6, before described. Slidably engaged at their upper ends on each side of the bed frame in said slots by means of a suitable pin 10, and between the webs thereof are brace bars or what may also be termed leg members 11, which at their lower ends are pivotally engaged on an angle bar knuckle 12, secured at the extremity of each of the bars 7, and in alinement with the link or legs 6, or, if preferred, constructed integrally therewith or braced or welded thereto. Connecting said brace bars 11, for each end of the bed to afford rigidity, are diagonal braces 13, thus affording cross brace bars whereby the entire end structure of the headboard and legs is greatly strengthened and given rigidity.

Pivotally engaged on the outer end of each of'the pivot pins 10, is a bar or link 14, the other end of which is pivotally engaged on the bracket 4, as shown in Fig. 6, at or near the end of the bed frame.

Rigidly secured on each end of the side bars, extending transversely thereof, and projecting transversely of the bed frame over the same, is the bar 15, before described, and mounted thereon and rigidly secured thereto near each side of the head board is an upwardly directed bracket 16. Pivotally mounted on said brackets 16, are hooks 17 which extend upwardly and at their upper ends on the outer side thereof are inclined outwardly and downwardly, as shown in Fig. 10, the throat of the hook 17, being at the outer side thereof and opening downwardly and in position to engage over a bar or rod 18, which, as shown in Fig. 4, extends transversely, connecting opposite sides of the head board and may, if desired, af-

ford a part of the ornamental construction of the same. Connecting said hooks for each head board and at a point preferably below the throat of the hooks, is a rod or bar 19, and rigidly engaged at its lower end 20, by riveting or any suitable means on the bar 15, is a leaf spring 21, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10, which engages at the inner side of the bar 19 and acts normally to hold the hooks outwardly or in engaging position, as shown in Fig. 9. As shown also. a projection or knuckle 22, is provided 011 each of the hooks at its lower end and below its pivot, which engages on the plate 15, and acts to limit the outward movement of the hooks under the tension of its spring.

The operation is as follows: When the bed is erected, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, the hooks 17, are engaged over the rod 18, thus rigidly engaging the head board to the bar 15. The hooks thus engaged with said head board serve to hold the end of the bed frame from descending. In this position a lug 23, integral with the bracket 4, extends beneath the bar 14, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and acts to limit the outward and downward swing of the head board relatively the bed spring to an extent just suflicient to permit the rod 18, to pass under the hook 17, during the erection of the bed. When the weight of an occupant is on the bed, the hooks cannot possibly be disengaged from the rod 18, owing to the fulcruming of the bed ends upon the pivots of the brackets 4,

movement between the head and end board of the bed, and the bed frame, which results in such pressure being communicated by means of said hooks 17, to the transverse bar 18, on the head board and consequently the greater the weight supported by the bedthe more firmly said hooks remain in engagement. Also, inasmuch as the hooks are at the inner side of the rod, the mattress and bedding bear outwardly against the hooks and any movement of the occupant while on the bed cannot disengage the hooks but serves to force the same more firmly into engagement with said rod. When so supported, the end boards and leg links 6, lie in the same plane, said links and the por tion of the head boards extending below the brackets i, forming the legs, and the bed is supported squarely upon the casters 9. When so supported, the pivot pins 10,.

for the brace bars 11, are drawn to the outer ends of the slots in the side members 1, of

' the bed frame, and are also rigidly held in position to brace the lower ends of the links by means of the connecting rods or bars 14, whereby the pivot pins 10, for the brace bars 11, are connected with the brackets 4:. When so erected, an exceedingly firm and substantial support is assured, the lugs 23, on the bracket 4, preventing unnecessary outward swing of the upper ends of the head boards, and this alsojbeing resisted by theprojection or lug 22, on each of the hooks whereby but slight outward movement of the upper ends of the head and foot boards are permitted.- Furthermore, owing to the pivotal support of the ends of the bed upon the foot and head boards at the inner extremity of the brackets 4, it follows that the weight of the bed frame, the bedding and the occupantare supportedupon the end members on the inner extremities of the brackets 4t, said brackets serving as levers, tending to swing the tops of the head and foot boards inwardly, but never outwardly.

When it is desired to :close' or collapse the bed, the head and foot boards are engaged successively by an operator, who swings the same slightly outward, the extent of such movement being limited by the proximity of the lug 23, to the under side of the connecting rod 14. A suflicient outward swing, however, is permitted to slightly elevate the end of the bed frame on the brackets 4, which serve as levers, thus elevating the hooks, whereupon the operator presses the bar 19, forcing the spring 21, inwardly to swing the hooks clear of the bar 18, and the end board is then swung inwardly, the rod 18, if contacting the hook at all, merely contacting the outer curved head of the hook, sliding upwardly thereover as the end of the bed frame descends. The inward movement of the head or foot board, breaks the alinement thereof with theleg link 6, at the joint therebetween, and as the bed frame descends, said leg link at all times maintains a substantially perpendicular position as indicated in dottedlines in Fig. 6, so thatduring the entire closing operation said end of the bed is at all times supported upon its casters. With the upward swing of the brackets, the connecting rod lat, forces the inner end of the brace bar along its slot, and in consequence said brace bar is eventually folded into the position shown in Fig. 2,

with the leg link 6, standing vertically and in the plane formerly occupied by the head board. In other words, the bed when closed, is not extended beyond the length of the bed when open, and if desired, may be made even shorter than the bed when open by the adjustment of the relative lengths of the re spective links, brace bar, connecting rod and bracket, and the respective and mutual engagement with each other and with the head board.

It is to be observed that when closed or collapsed, ample space is afforded between the bed frame and the head and foot boards,

which are folded over the bedding thereon, tocontain all necessary bedding, and that the 1l1i'ltt-l'SS fIRUl is supported thereon on the floor except for the support afforded by the casters 9, which, of course, may be of any desired height. In consequence, the total height of the bed when folded, includ-' ing the bedding contained therein is such a lever to raise that end of the bed frame and to extend the legs, bracebars and connecting rod to normal supporting position. As the foot board swings upwardly to nearly normal position, the rod 18, bears against the outer side of the head of the hook 17, slides downwardly thereover tending to retract the hook slightly against the tension of "its spring. The elevation of the bed frame is continued by the outwardswing of the foot board, acting as a lever untilthe lugi23, engages beneath the connecting rod 1%, at which time the hooks have been raised sufficiently with the bed frame so that the springs 21, act to snap the hooks over said rod, whereupon said end of the bed is looked from closing, and the other end of the bed may be raised and extendedin the .same

manner.

Of course, it is to be understood that I have shown but a preferred construction. I

ion

am well aware that numerous details of construction and operation may be varied. I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted on this application otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described com prising a mattress frame, head and foot members pivotally engaged directly thereto, legs pivotally connected on said members, and links pivotally connected together and to said respective members and legs and having a sliding engagement with said mattress frame whereby said legs are actuated when the device is folded or unfolded.

2. A device of the class described embracing a rigid bed. frame, head and foot the same from closing, and legs pivotally connected on said end members and acting to supportthe device both when opened and when closed.

3. In a device of the class described a rigid bed frame, a head and foot board comprising brackets affording a pivotal engagement with the respective ends of the bed frame, legs pivotally engaged on said head and foot boards respectively, brace bars pivotally connected with the lower end of each of said legs, and slidably connected with the bed frame, a connecting rod engaged with the upper end of the brace bar and with the head and foot boards respectively whereby the movement of the head and foot boards as levers acts to raise and lower thebed frame thereon, and locks for rigidly engaging the head and foot boards in supporting position.

a. A device of the class described embracing a bed frame, head and foot boards pivotally engaged at each end of the bed frame, legs connected on and extending below the head and foot boards respectively when unfolded, operative connections whereby said head and foot boards operate as lovers in raising the respective ends of the bed frame in opening the bed, and also operate as levers in closing or collapsing the device, and inwardly releasable locks on the bed frame acting to engage the head and foot boards respectively and adapted to rigidly hold the device extended when in use.

5. A device of the class described embracing a bed frame, a head and foot board pivotally engaged thereto, folding leg sections at their ends connected to said head and foot boards respectively, said head and foot boards acting as levers in opening and extending the bed, and also in closing the same, and casters swiveled on the leg sections, the arrangement of the parts permitting the casters to support the device when closed at all positions of adjustment in opening and closing and when fully open.

6. A device of the class described'embracing a bed frame, end members comprising pivotally mounted head and foot boards, foldable legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to the lower ends of said respective head and foot boards, locking means en aged on the bed frame and acting to en,- gage a part on the respective head and foot boards from the inner side thereof to lock the device in extended position.

7. A device of the class described embracing a bed frame, a head and a foot board acting to support the same, each acting also as a lever in adjusting the same in opening and closing the device, and locking means carried on the bed frame and engaging respectively the head and foot boards and acting to release the same by operating said head or foot board outwardly as a lever in raising its end of the bed frame above its normal position sufliciently to raise the locking means outof its engagement.

8. In a device of the class described a bed frame, head and foot members pivotally engaged thereto and utilizable as levers in elevating the bed frame to standard bed height for use, locking means for engaging said parts in operative position for use, and legs pivoted at their ends on said head and foot members and supporting the bed at all positions of adjustment, said bed when folded collapsing to small vertical height of substantially the same length of the device as when extended.

9. A dev lie of the class described embracing a bed frame, head and foot boards, brackets on said head and foot boards pivotally connected at their inner ends on the frame, leg extensions pivotally connected at the lower end of the head and foot boards adapted to extend in the same plane with the head and foot boards when the latter are extended, brace bars pivotally engaged at the lower end of each of said leg extensions and slidably engaged on the bed frame, a

rod pivoted to said brace bars and said brackets and adapted to extend in alinement with the bed frame when the device is open, a projection on each of the brackets extending beneath said rod, hooks pivotally engaged on the bed frame, a transverse bar on each head board and foot board adapted to be engaged thereby, a rod connecting the hooks, a spring acting on said rod, and means limiting. the outward swing of the hooks, said relation of the hooks and the bars to be engaged thereby being such as to require a limited elevation of the end of the bed frame carrying said hooks, to permit engagement or disengagement thereof with said bar, and whereby the weight of the bed frame and objects thereon are in part suspended by said hooks.

10. In a device of the class described, a bed frame, end members pivoted thereon adapted to swing longitudinally of the bed frame and extending above and below the bed frame when extended, legs pivoted at their upper ends to the lower ends of said end members, and means slidably connected with said bed frame and said legs to brace said legs in extended supporting position.

11. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members, a bracket rigidly secured on each of said end members affording a pivotal connection with said bed frame, supporting legs pivoted at their upper ends to the lower ends of said end members to fold into parallel relation therewith, and means connected with said bed frame to brace said legs.

12. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members connected thereon and foldable relative thereto to raise and lower said frame, and pivotal braced legs connected at their upper ends to said end members afiording a pivotal support for said end members, whereby the latter are fulcrumed thereon to raise and lower said bed frame.

13. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members pivoted thereto .connected to one another and to said caster leg members and said end members, and automatic latching means serving to lock and retain said end members in erected position after elevation thereof.

14. In a device of'the class described a bed frame, end members pivoted thereto ex tending above and below the same when in erected position, relatively short legs pivoted to the lower extremities of said end members, means connecting said legs to the bed frame, means preventing accidental breaking of the joint between said end members and said legs, and a bracket affording a pivotal connection between said bed frame and said end members whereby said end members may be folded over the bed frame and said bed frame lowered into collapsed position of the device.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH W. KYLE. Witnesses LAWRENCE REIBSTEIN, Ln ROY D. KILEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, I). C. 

